THE World Water Day, which is being observed globally today (March 22), serves as a stark reminder of the critical challenges surrounding water availability and quality in Pakistan.

Per capita water availability in the country has been declining at an alarming rate, dropping from 1,100 cubic metres in 2005 to just 908 cubic metres today, dangerously close to the water scarcity threshold of 500 cubic metres.

In contrast, the water demand has continued to rise at an average annual rate of 10 per cent due to rapid population growth. Currently, only an estimated 39pc of Pakistanis have access to safe and clean drinking water, while the remaining 61pc remain deprived of this basic necessity and fundamental right.

Although 80-90pc of the population may have access to basic water sources, much of this water is neither safe nor potable. The situation is further exace-rbated by the fact that only about 68pc of the population has access to adequate sanitation facilities, leaving nearly 25 million people vulnerable to waterborne diseases and other serious health risks.

Despite the lofty promises of successive governments, no substantial measures have been implemented to overcome the water crisis.

The United Nations Sustainable Dev-elopment Report 2024 ranked Pakistan 137th out of 166 countries in achieving various Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), reflecting limited progress in ensuring water security.

More alarmingly, Pakistan is among the 17 countries facing extreme baseline water stress, having been ranked 14th in this category. It is also the third most vulnerable nation experiencing acute water shortage. If the trend continues unchecked, Pakistan is projected to reach absolute water scarcity by 2035, with

|no comprehensive corrective measures in sight. Reports from various government water-quality institutions indicate that water in most parts of the country, inc-luding major cities like Karachi and Lahore, is unsafe for consumption.

It is often turbid, polluted with bacteria, contaminated with industrial waste, or a combination of these, exceeding per-missible limits and regulatory standards while failing to meet the relevant World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines.

The unchecked disposal of untreated industrial and domestic waste into rivers, canals, drains and fields has further degraded groundwater quality. Samples collected from Faisalabad and other industrial hubs reveal dangerously high concentrations of toxic elements, such as arsenic, fluoride, cadmium, chromium and iron; far exceeding allowable limits.

With no alternative, the majority of the population is forced to consume contaminated water, exposing themselves to severe health risks. Alarmingly, even many bottled water brands available in the market fail to meet safety standards.

It is estimated that nearly 75pc of diseases in Pakistan, including cancer, hepatitis, typhoid, cholera and diarrhoea, are caused by poor water quality, leading to the deaths of approximately 53,000 children each year. There is, indeed, every reason to turn things around.

Hussain Ahmad Siddiqui
Islamabad

Published in Dawn, March 22nd, 2025